Substance in Irish (Substaint): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for substance?

The Irish for substance is substaint (pronounced “SUB-stant”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean solid worth or wealth.

Q: Does substaint have more than one meaning?

Yes. Substaint can mean substance, solid worth or wealth, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “substance” in Irish

Irish:: substaint
English:: substance, solid worth, wealth
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, second declension
Pronunciation:: “SUB-stant” /ˈsˠʊbˠsˠt̪ˠən̠ʲtʲ/

Various forms

Genitive singular:: substainte, na substainte (e.g. croí na substainte, the heart of the substance)

What does “substaint” mean?

“Substaint” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

substance: The essential nature or real content of something, as opposed to its appearance.Also: essence, content, gist.

2 other meanings: solid worth or wealth

2solid worth: Real value or solidity in a person or thing.Also: solidity, worth, substantiality.
3wealth: Property or means that a person owns.Also: property, means, substance.

“Substaint” with the article

Here is substaint after the article (an t-alt).

an tsubstaint

the substance

Feminine nouns take t before s after an

“Substaint” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using substaint, the Irish word for substance.

Níl mórán substainte san óráid sin.

There isn't much substance in that speech.

Tá substaint ina chuid argóintí.

There is substance in his arguments.

Is í an tsubstaint atá tábhachtach, ní an chuma.

It's the substance that matters, not the appearance.

Labhair siad faoi shubstaint an scéil.

They talked about the substance of the story.

Fear gan substaint a bhí ann.

He was a man without solid worth.

Bhí substaint mhaith ag a muintir.

Her people had considerable wealth.

Ní fhaca mé aon substaint sa phlean.

I saw no substance in the plan.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

taithíexperience comórtascompetition suísitting suísitting laghadsmallness deartháirbrother

Substance in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for substance?

The Irish for substance is substaint (pronounced “SUB-stant”). It’s a feminine noun. Depending on context it can also mean solid worth or wealth.

How do you pronounce substaint in Irish?

Substaint is said like “SUB-stant” (IPA /ˈsˠʊbˠsˠt̪ˠən̠ʲtʲ/).

Does substaint have a plural?

No plural form is given for substaint in the standard. Many abstract and mass nouns in Irish have no plural.

Does substaint have more than one meaning?

Yes. Substaint can mean substance, solid worth or wealth, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does substaint change to shubstaint?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shubstaint. After ár (our) it stays ár substaint, because s does not take eclipsis.

Is 'substaint' used for a chemical substance?

For a chemical or physical substance Irish usually uses 'substaint' in technical writing or 'ábhar'; 'substaint' more traditionally means essence or solid worth.

Substance in Irish (Substaint): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage